Game



Sept. 8, 1936.

K. a sHYvERs ET AL GAME Filed Feb. 10, 1936 s Sheets-Sheet 1 fgydens Zy01a .7? 30:11am? 13 Sept. 8, 1936- K. c. SHYVERS ET AL GAME Filed Feb.10, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES GAMEKenneth C. Shyvers and Lyndon A. Durant, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 10, 1936, Serial No. 63,056

14 Claim.

This invention relates to a pin game of the type wherein a plurality ofballs are impelled to various scoring positions and to an electrictotalizing means for indicating the number of points scored at any timeduring the game. Games of this character are located in various publicplaces and must be capable of operation with a minimum of servicing.

An object of this invention is to devise a game of this characterwherein a totalizing means is provided, which is cheap, effective andoperates quickly to indicate the number of points scored at any timeduring the game.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel featuresof construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter fullydescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularlypointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that variouschanges in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the structuremay be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of our invention, wehave illustrated in the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodimentthereof, from an inspection of which when considered in connection withthe following description, our invention, its mode of construction,assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readilyunderstood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same 5 characters of referenceare employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts through theseveral figures of the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top view of a complete game; Fig. 2 is a section alongline 2-2 of Fig. 1; 40 Fig. 3 is a section along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;Fig. 4 is a section along line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a section alongline 5-5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a detail of the indicating means; .andFig. '7 is a circuit diagram of the totalizing 45 means.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the game comprises a frame I of wood ormetal. Supported by the frame is a panel i2 of wood, upon which may belocated the various paths and traps for the balls. 50 'A plunger 3suitably journaled in the frame is adapted to be pulled back in the wellknown fashion and propel a ball 5 along chute 6, which extends to therear of the panel and to the other side thereof. The ball 5 is adaptedto pass a trap 55 8, if it has sufilcient momentum, and up an innerchute 9 beyond a spring gate Ill and thence into the playing field.

The field may have suitably shaped blocks H, I! and i3 for guiding theball. There may also be provided a plurality of posts i5 carrying springrings i6 offset therefrom and adapted to impart interdeterminateimpulses to the ball in its travels. A plurality of holes into whicheach ball may drop is provided, eachhole.having a predetermined scoringvalue. Inasmuch as the 10 arrangement of posts, guide blocks and holesmay be changed to suit the taste of players and since it forms no partof the present invention, it will not be described.

The entire machine is provided with a level ini dicator 2i and a coinchute 22. This coin chute is provided with a circular cut-out 23, intowhich any suitable coin may be disposed, after which lever 22 is pressedinwardly. Upon the pressing in of lever 22, a board 25 immediately belowplay- 20 ing panel 2 is moved in its own plane to uncover the variousholes 20 and permit the balls to drop through to the bottom of thecabinet. A suitable pick-up device, operated by a lever 26 of well knownconstruction, is adapted to elevate one ball 25 at a time into the chute6.

At the rear of the cabinet a vertically disposed panel 28 is disposedinto which the totalizing mechanism is adapted to be mounted. Thescoring total may be read through a small window 30 30. (Fig. 6).

The totalizing mechanism proper, in general, comprises a pair of equalresistances having corresponding predetermined taps permitting theshutting out or insertion of corresponding and predetermined resistancevalues. The total value of the two resistances in series tends to remainconstant. In the event that any balls operate to change the value of oneof the resistances, automatic mechanism is provided tending to changethe value of the other resistance to an equal amount, but in the reversesense. These two resistances are adapted to form one arm of a Wheatstonebridge, the other three arms of which have fixed values. The balls, whenplayed, are adapted to disturb one of the resistance values causing thebridge to become unbalanced. By suitable step up mechanism the otherresistance carrying the scoring values is suitably operated upon toautomatically balance the bridge.

Electrically controlled means are provided to reset the mechanism to"zero" upon the initiation of a play and to render the mechanisminoperative in the event that the game apparatus is not level.Additional means are provided whereby at certain predetermined scoringvalues a return coin chute may be operated as a reward during theresetting operation and contact point during the playing operation. Thepoint 40 is connected by a line M to movable contact 42 of a levelcontrol relay 43. The movable contact 42 normally touches fixed contact44 which is connected to a junction point 45. This junction point 45 isconnected by a line 46 through the winding of the relay 43 to a line 4?and thence to a cup member 48.

A freely swinging contact 49 is adapted to be clear of the cup member'48 if the cabinet is level, so that no circuit through this switch ismade. A movable contact 49 is connected by a line 50 back to thejunction 36. It is clear that ii the cabinet is not level, a circuitthrough 49 and 46 I will be established, energizing the winding 43 ofthe relay and causing the movable contacts 42 to break away from thecontact 44, thus breaking the main circuit and also circuit to tiltdevice.

The junction point 45 is connected through a clock control switch 46 toa terminal 40. The Junction point 36 is connected-to a terminal 50 andalso through a voltage reducing resistance 5I to a terminal 52. Thereset contact 39 is connected by a line 53 to a terminal 56.

The contacts 48 and 52 are connected by lines 51 and 53, respectively,tothe opposite points,

59 and 60 of a bridge for energizing the same. The junction 59 hasresistances 6| and 62 con nected thereto. The resistance 62 is connectedto a junction 63 and between this point and 60, a resistance 64 isprovided. The resistances BI, 62 and 64 are invariable values andbetween the junction 60 and junction 65 there is adapted to be connecteda pair of oppositely variable resistances. From the junction point 65 aline 66 is provided going to a terminal 61. The terminal 61 is connectedby a jumper 68 to terminal 69 of a resistance generally designated as10. The other terminal II of this resistance is connected by a jumper 12to a terminal 13, thence by a line 14 to a terminal 15 of a resistancegenerally designated as 16. A wiper I1 forms the other terminal of thisresistance as far ascurrentconduction is concerned and is connected by aline 18 to the junction 60 of the bridge.

Referring to the resistance 10, this resistance is made up of suitableresistance units having a plurality of contact points to 88, inclusive.Between these contact points predetermined values of resistances may bedisposed in any suitable manner. As shown here, the resistance wire iswound zigzag around an inner series of posts 9| and-an outer series ofposts 92. A plurality of switch arms to I03, inclusive, may be providedfor engagement with the contacts 80 to 88, respectively, and theterminal at the other end of the corresponding resistance section,

a short circuiting conductor I05 may be provided, so that upon theclosure of any switch with its corresponding contact, a predeterminedportion of the entire resistance is cut out. Switches 95 to I03,inclusive, are mounted on the lower panel 25, and in the normal playingp sition are adapted to be in holes 20 so that when a ball drops in, theswitch will be closed.

The resistance 16, whose total value may be equal to that of resistance10, is constructed so that its resistance wire I01 is threaded back andforth between an inner series of posts I08 and an outer series of postsI09. This resistance wire is carried on a board I08 through the centerof which a shaft I09 is rotativeiy mounted.

The shaft I09 carries an arm IIO balancing apair of wipers III and H2.The wiper III 00- operates with the inner series of posts I08 which arepreferably of metal and have suitable flat tops. As the balls close thevarious switches in the resistance 10 and vary its value in apredetermined fashion, it is evident, therefore, that the arm IIO withthe wiper III must be moved to add a predetermined amount of resistancefrom the resistance '16 to keep the bridge balanced.

Assuming that the system is unbalanced because of the operation of oneor more switches in the resistance 10, it is clear that a diiference ofpotential between the points 63 and 65 of the bridge will be set up.Inorder to take advantage of this difference of potential, the point 65is connected by a line 5' to the terminal, II6 of a sensitive relay H1.The other terminal H6 of this relay is connected to a line H9, to whichbridge point 63 is connected by a wire' I20 and the line H9 is connectedto the fixed contact I20 of a step up solenoid I2I. The line II9 alsogoes to the fixed contact I22 of the relay I I1. The movable contact I2301 this relay is connected to, the

winding of a time delay relay I25, the other terminal of the windingbeing connected to point I26. The point I26 is connected back by a linei21 to terminal 50'. The fixed contact I30 of the relay I25 is connectedto the junction I26 and co-operates with the movable contact I3I. Acondenser I32 is connected across these contacts-to suppress sparking toprotect the relay contacts. The fixed contact I3I is connected to a lineI33 which goes through the winding I35 of the solenoid I2I and thence bya wire I36 to the line 51. A movable I contact I31 is connected to theline I36.

Upon the unbalancing of the bridge and the existence of a difference ofpotential between the points 63 and 65, current will flow throughtheline II 5 and the winding of the relay I I 1, through the line I20 tothe point 63. contacts I22 and I23 to close which will energize the timedelay relay I25. With the relay I25 energized, the contacts I30 and I3Iwill close to establish a circuit from the point 36 above the battery 35through the junction 50', line I21, contacts I30 and I3I, line I33,solenoid winding I35, line I36 to the junction 48 and thence through theswitch 46, point 45, contact points and, 44, line 4|, contact points 40and 39, thence back to This will cause the relay 1 the battery. Thesolenoid I2I will thereupon be sults in a reverse difference. ofpotential between points 63 and 65 of the bridge, reversing the flow ofcurrent through the first relay II1. This reverse current rapidly opensthe relay contacts and :overcomes any tendency for contact sticking.

which might otherwise occur. The opening of the relay I I1 will in itsturn result in opening the relay I25, which, because of its slowoperation, is adapted to permit the step up solenoid I2I to go throughwith its step up operation more positively.

The mechanical operation whereby the step up solenoid I2I changes thevalue of the resistance 16 to balance the bridge, will now be described.

The step up solenoid I2I is provided with a core I40 which is adapted tobe sucked into the solenoid upon energization thereof. of the core I40is pivotally secured to a lever I4I rotatively secured to the shaft I09.Beyond the shaft I09 the lever I4I has a portion I42 upon which ispivotally mounted a lever I43 carrying a ratchet dog I44. A spring I45between the members I42 and I43 presses dog I44 against the teeth of aratchet I48 rigidly secured to shaft I09. A spring I49 secured betweenthe member I42 and a rigid plate I50 tends to keep the core I40 of thesolenoid in its projected position. Upon the energization of the-relaywinding I35, the core I40 is sucked into the relay winding and moves thelever I4I anti-clockwise, as sen in Fig. 3. The dog I44 rides over theteeth of the ratchet I48. The core I40 which opens the contacts I20 andI31 in its lowermost position and tie-energizes the winding is thereuponpulled out by the action of a spring I49, which advances the ratchet I48a tooth in a clockwise direction. This serves to move the arm IIO withits wiper III from one contact post I08 to another one. Assuming thatthe bridge still remains unbalanced, another step up cycle will occuruntil the resistance relationship between 10 and 10 is such that theyboth add up to the predetermined amount necessary to balance the bridge.The shaft I09 in its turning movement rotates a scale I52 carryingsuitable numbers thereon and in the balanced condition of the bridge isadapted to show a suitable indication through the window 30.

In order to reset the mechanism back to zero position in preparation fora playing cycle, means are provided for releasing the ratchet to permitthe scale to assume its starting position. As the totalizing meansoperates to turn the scale from a lower to a higher reading, the shaftI09 tends to wind up a spring I55.

In order to reset the mechanism, a reset coil I51 is provided connectedby a line I58 to the terminal 56. The coil I51 is mounted on the plateI50 and has pivoted thereto an armature I60. This armature is providedwith a long lever portion I6I adapted to contact against a dog I63pivoted at I64 and engaging ratchet wheel I40. A spring I between thedog I03 and the base plate I50 tends to keep the dog in engagement withthe ratchet. During the normal step up operation of the step up coilI2I, the ratchet I48 is adapted to turn in a clockwise direction and thedog I63 merely slips over the teeth of the ratchet.

During the inward movement of the core I40 I of the step up magnet, whenthe step up ratchet I43 is slipping backward to engage a new tooth. thedog I63 prevents the ratchet I48 from being driven backwards by thespring I55. The dog I44 of the step up ratchet is provided with a longear I61. When the release coil I51 is energized, the armature ISO isattracted causing the lever I6I to swing the dog I63 clear of theratchet and at the same time by pressing against the ear I61 causes thestep up ratchet I43 to clear the ratchet teeth. There being no restrainton ratchet I48, the spring I55 reverses the shaft I03 until the zeroposition is reached. The

The free end reset coil I51 is energized by the starting switch 38 beingraised upwardly to close with the contact 39. By means of a dashpot I10on the switch 38, 30 is kept in contact with the point 39 long enough topermit the mechanism to reset back to zero" and therefrom the switch 38is dropped to close against the contact 40. When the shaft I00 is drivenback to the zero position, the arm IIO carried thereby is adapted toopen up the contacts 54 and 55 at the zero" position of the Indicatingmeans. This is accomplished by the arm Il0 striking an extension of thecon tact 54 and serves to open up the reset circuit as soon as resettingis accomplished and thus save drain on the battery 35 in the event thatthe dashpot on the switch 38 operates too slowly.

It may be desirable to provide a coin return or suitable indicatingmeans in the event that certain high scoring values are obtained. Forthis purpose, the wiper II2 on the arm H0 is adapted to co-operate witha series of contacts 15' inwardly spaced from the inward series ofcontacts I08. These contacts 16' may be connected in any suitable mannerand, as shown here, are all connected to a line I'II, leading to aterminal I12 to magnet I13 and back again through a terminal I14 andline I15 to the line I33. In the event that the arm IIO travels farenough to engage any one of the contacts 16', a circuit from the bridgepoint through the line 18, arm IIO, wiper H2 and thence through thevarious lines down to the line I33, is established. This circuit will beenergized from the battery 35 only when delay relay I25 closes thecontacts I30 and I3I.

In order to illuminate the dial or member I52 uponwhich the score valuesare marked, there is provided a light I59 disposed directly in the rearof the opening 30, which light is connected in the main battery circuit.

It is believed that our invention, its mode of construction andassembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood fromthe foregoing without further description, and it should also bemanifest that while a preferred embodiment of the invention has beenshown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural detailsarenevertheless capable of wide varia-' tion within the purview of ourinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. An electrical means for indicating the position of a body at a remotedistance comprising a bridge having three fixed resistances for thethree arms thereof and a pair of equal resistances in series as a fourtharm, said pair of resistances being remote from each other and beingadapted to have a constant combined resistance, means on one of saidresistances for varying the value thereof in accordance with theposition of one or more bodies, means co-operating with one of saidresistances tending to change the value of said other resistances by anequal amount and in the reverse sense to said first resistance tomaintain said bridge in balance, said means being energized by adifference of potential across said bridge when unbalanced andcomprising a step up relay. a stepby-step mechanism co-operating withsaid other resistance to vary its value, means whereby said step uprelay in its movement stores energy in said step up mechanism and meanswhereby said step-by-step mechanism varies upon the deenergization ofsaid step-up relay.

2. An indicating means, comprising a bridge having three fixedresistances as the arms there= of, a first and second resistance inseries with each other as the fourth arm, means for energizing saidbridge from two opposite points, means for varying the value of saidfirst resistance to unbalance said bridge thereby causing a dider-= enceof potential to automatically vary said second resistance to bring thebridge into balance. said last named means comprising a relay forutilizing said difference of potential in said bridge, a step up relaycontrolled by said first relay, a wiper on said second resistance andadapted to contact therewith, a dog and ratchet mechanismco-operating'with said wiper to impart step-by-step movement thereto,means whereby said step up relay operates said dog and vratchet toadvance said wiper for a small unitary value of resistance, meanscontrolled by said step up relay to reverse said bridge unbalancewhereby said control relay is sharply released to begin another step upcycle and an indicator carried by said wiper calibrated to indicate thecondition of said first resistance.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said wiper. is adapted to progressforward in one direction only against a spring, and means for freeingsaid ratchet of its dog for returning said wiper to a starting position.

4. An indicating system for showing the position of a body at a distanceremote from the indicating means, comprising a bridge having three fixedresistances as the arms thereof and a fourth arm comprising tworesistances in series, means for energizing said bridge across twopoints, and means for utilizing any potential difference across theother two points of said bridge, one of said'resistances being remotefrom the other, means for varying the value of said one resistance inaccordance with the body positions to be measured, thereby unbalancingsaid bridge and means responsive to the difference of potential acrosssaid bridge due to its unbalanced position for varying the otherresistance an equal value in a reverse sense, said means comprising awiper playing over said resistance, a shaft coupled to said wiper andcarrying an indicating means, a ratchet mechanism coupled to said shaftand tending to turn said shaft in one direction only,

a spring coupled to said shaft and wound up by said ratchet mechanism assaid shaft 'is turned thereby, relay means responsive to the unbalancedcondition in said bridge for operating said ratchet mechanism step bystep until said bridge is automatically balanced, an independent meansfor rendering said ratchet advance inoperative whereby said springreturns said shaft to a zero position. v

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said relay means for operatingsaidratchet comprises a pair of successive relays, one of said relaysbeing directly responsive to the unbalanced condition of said bridge,the other relay being responsive to said first relay, said other relayin its energized condition being adapted to unbalance said bridge in thereverse direction to cause a. quick release on said first relay.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said ratchet operating means comprisesa magnet and a spring system so that when said magnet is energized, theratchet dog slips the ratchet and a spring advances said ratchet.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein said ratchet advancing means comprisesa string-pressed dog, a magnet for operating on said dog to advance saidratchet, an additional spring-pressed aosasve dog on said ratchet, anadditional magnet for releasing both dogs from said ratchet and a springwound by said ratchet during. its advancing position for returning saidratchet to a "zer position.

8. A totalizer operatively associated with a game board having aplurality of switches adapted to be closed by projectiles projected ontosaid game board, comprising a resistance connected to said switches andhaving its efiective value varied thereby a second resistance in serieswith said first resistance, said two resistances in series forming onearm of a bridge, three other resistances forming the three additionalbridge arms, means for; impressing a potential dlfler ence across onepair of opposite bridge points, meansconnected across the other pair ofopposite bridge points for responding to a difference of potential as aresult-of bridge unbalance, and means controlled by said last mentionedmeans for varying the value of said second resistance to balance saidbridge, said means com= prising a wiper playing over said secondresistance and movable in steps, a relay responsive to a condition ofbridge unbalance for moving said wiper one step at a time, said relaybeing controlled by said bridge only at the beginning of each operatingcycle, and indicating means carried by said wiper to correspond with theswitches in said first resistance changed by said operator.

9. The totalizer of claim 8, wherein a relay is connected across saidother opposite bridge points and responsive to a condition of unbalance,and a slow acting relay system controlled by said first relay foractuating said wiper, said slow acting relay system, when energized,being adapted'to throw out said first relay in preparation for a newoperating cycle.

10. The totalizer of claim 8, wherein said wiper operates against thespring, a ratchet system controlling said wiper, a step-by-step relaysystem for advancing said ratchet in one direction in response to thepotential difference across said bridge when in unbalanced condition, arelease magnet and means controlled by said release magnet whenenergized for releasing said ratchet to permit said spring to returnsaid wiper to a starting position.

11. The totalizer of claim 8, wherein said wiper rides over a series ofcontacts corresponding to predetermined wiper conditions and anunlocking circuit controlled by said contacts whereby at predeterminedwiper conditions said unlocking circuit operates giving specialindications for predetermined high scoring values. 7

12. A score indicating means operatively associated with a game boardhaving a plurality of switches adapted to be closed by balls pro- Jectedonto and travelling over said game board, said indicating meansincluding a bridge having threefixed resistances as the arms thereof anda fourth arm comprising two resistances in series, a plurality ofswitches disposed one in each of said openings and adapted to be closedby the disposition of a ball within said openings, said switches beingconnected to one of said last mentioned resistances and arranged so asto have its effective value varied thereby, means for impressing apotential difference across one pair of opposite bridge points, meansconnected across the opposite pair of bridge points for responding to adifference of potential as a result of bridge unbalance, and meansincluding the indicating means controlled by said last mentioned meansfor actuating said indicating means to move the same to correspond withthe change in value 01 said first resistance caused by the dispositionof the balls in the openings on the playing surface.

13. A totalizer operatively associated with a. game board having aplurality of switches adapted to be closed by balls projected onto saidgame board, including a resistance, all of said switches being connectedto said resistance, which resistance has its effective value varied bythe closing of said switches, a second resistance in series with saidfirst resistance, said two resistances in series forming one arm of abridge, three other resistances forming the three additional bridgearms, means for impressing a potential diflerence across one pair ofopposite bridge points, means connected across the other pair ofopposite bridge points for responding to a difference of potential as aresult oi bridge unbalance, means controlled game board having aplurality of electrical switches adapted to be closed by balls projectedonto said game board, said totalizer including an electrical resistanceconnected with said switches, which resistance has its effective valuevaried by the closing of said switches, whereby a predetermined amountof resistance is cut out upon the moving of said switches to closedpositions, and means responsive to the action of the cutting out of theresistance for actuating the totalizer.

KENNETH c. SHYVERS. LYNDON A. DURANT.

